Cabinet assembly for coin operated phonograph

ABSTRACT

A cabinet assembly for coin operated phonographs has an enclosed vibration isolating speaker chamber at the base thereof, which forms a supporting structure for the record changer and for the side and the back walls of the cabinet assembly. The speaker chamber prevents transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations to the record changer, thereby eliminating vibration caused distortion of sound reproduction from the records. An enclosure for the electrical components, which is mounted at the top of the side and back walls, thermally isolates heat produced by the electrical components and prevents heat damage to the records stored in the record changer.

llnited States Patent [191' Clouser, Jr.

[ 1 Apr. 24, 1973 [75] Inventor: Leon C. Clouser, Jr., Lombard, Ill.

[73] Assignee: The Seeburg Corporation, Chicago,

lll.

[22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1971 [2]] App]. No.: 179,340

[52] US. Cl ..312/8, 274/2 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 81/06 [58] Field of Search ..3 12/8, DlG. 26;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [68,958 7/1932 Wenderoth 274/2 Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell Attorney-Ronald L. Engel et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A cabinet assembly for coin operated phonographs has an enclosed vibration isolating speaker chamber at the base thereof, which forms a supporting structure for the record changer and for the side and the back walls of the cabinet assembly. The speaker chamber prevents transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations to the record changer, thereby eliminating vibration caused distortion of sound reproduction from the records. An enclosure for the electrical components, which is mounted at the top of the side and back walls, thermally isolates heat produced by the electrical components and prevents heat damage to the records stored in the record changer.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented April 24, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet l LEON c. CLOUSER, JR. BYJ M U INVE/VTOR fiZ-fg Patented April 24, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v IIVVENTOR LEON c. CLOUSER, JR. BY JMW Patented April 24, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 //V VE/V TOR LEON 6. CLOUSER, JR.

Patented April 24, 1973 3,729,240

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR LEON c. CLOU5ER,JR. Y

CABINET ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OPERATED PHONOGRAPII BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to cabinet assemblies for automatic coin operated vending machines, and more particularly to cabinet assemblies for automatic coin operated phonographs having sonic and thermal isolating enclosures.

2. Description'of the Prior Art Cabinet assemblies for automatic coin operated phonographs heretofore known to the art have contained undesirable structural problems which have caused certain problems reducing the effectiveness of the phonograph. Typically, prior art cabinet assemblies are formed of wood or metal cabinets in which the various components of the coin operated automatic phonograph are mounted. Automatic coin operated phonographs usually comprise at least two large woofer" speakers for reproducing lower frequency bass tones. Because of the power at which the woofer speakers are driven andthe size of the speakers, they typically produce intense sonic and mechanical vibrations which are strong enough to cause the tone arm of the phonograph to vibrate. Thus, distortion of sound reproduction is sometimes experienced as a result of the transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations to the tone arm. Consequently, it is highly desirable to provide a cabinet assembly for automatic coin operated phonographs that will eliminate the transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations to the tone arm of the record player.

Automatic coin operated phonographs typically have a very large electronic amplifier capable of drivingthe speakers with sufficient power to make the. sound reproduced by the speakers audible in a relatively large room, such as a restaurant or a cocktaillounge. Consequently, the amplifier must be of sufficient wattage to provide adequate power, and thus a great deal of heat is generated by the amplifier. Therecorcls utilized in an automatic coin operated phonograph are normally fabricated from a thermal plastic material which can be melted or warped by heat. Therefore, it is highly desirable to isolate the records stored in the automatic coin operated phonograph from any heat source, such as the amplifier.

In addition, it is highly desirable to provide a cabinet assembly for automatic coin operated phonographs which permits easy access to the operating components thereof to permit servicing, maintenance and repair.

Further, prior art cabinet assemblies fabricated solely from metal typically comprise a metal frame upon which metal side, front, and back panels are mounted. Because of the cost involved, the metal frame is usually not strong enough to prevent twisting of the frame when the cabinet is placed on an uneven floor. Consequently, the panels become distorted and when the cabinet is opened for service or repair it is often difficult to replace the panels in their original position. Thus, it is desirable to provide a cabinet assembly that has a solid base to avoid twisting and distortion of the front, side and back panels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the cabinet assembly for a coin operated automatic phonograph. Such coin operated phonographs typically comprise a record storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing the records, an electronic amplifier and electromechanical speakers for reproducing sound from the records, and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record by an operator.

To obviate the disadvantages of the prior art cabinet assemblies, a speaker enclosure means for enclosing the speakers is provided for sealably enclosing and isolating the speakers from the storage and playing mechanism, so that the sonic and mechanical vibrations produced by the speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism. In the present invention, the speaker enclosure means also provides a solid mounting support for the record storage and playing mechanism and also a solid distortion free mounting for the front side and the back walls of the cabinet assembly.

Mounted at the upper ends of the side wall panels and the back wall panel is an electrical component mounting enclosure means which thermally isolates the amplifier from the record storage and playing mechanism so that heat generated by the amplifier is not conducted to the records in the record storage and playing mechanism. Placement of the electrical component mounting enclosure means at the upper extremities of the cabinet assembly facilitates the elimination of heat conduction, since the heat from the amplifier rises up and away from the cabinet assembly.

Further, the electrical component enclosure means also has a pivotally mounted front wall upon which the amplifier is mounted. The front wall portion is adapted to pivot outwardly to approximately a horizontal position so that the amplifier can be easily serviced and/or repaired.

Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide .a cabinet assembly for a coin operated automatic phonograph having a sealably enclosed speaker enclosure for isolating the speakers so that sonic and mechanical vibrations from the speakers are not transmitted to the tone arm of the record storage and playing mechanism.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet assembly for a coin operated automatic phonograph having a thermally isolating enclosure for the electronic components thereof to prevent the conduction of heat from the electrical components to the records stored in the record storage and playing mechanism so that the possibility of heat damage to the records is eliminated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet assembly for a coin operated automatic phonograph wherein the electrical components are mounted in such a manner that service, maintenance and repair can easily be accomplished.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet assembly for coin operated phonographs having a solid distortion free base structure to on an uneven floor.

These and other objectsand advantages and features of the subject invention will hereinafter appear, and for purpose of illustration, but not of limitation',"an' exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view ofa preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right front perspective partially fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the present DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, cabinet assembly 10 for a coin operated phonograph comprises speaker enclosure assembly 12, back wall assembly 14 mounted to speaker enclosure assembly 12. First side wall assembly 16 and second side wall assembly 18 are also mounted to speaker enclosure assembly 12. Top wall assembly 20 is attached to the upper edges of first and second side wall assemblies 16 and 18 and back wall assembly 14. Intermediately positioned and attached to back wall assembly 14 and first and second side wall assemblies l6 and 18 is a heat shield 22. Formed in back wall assembly 14 immediately above heat shield 22 are air louvers 24 which permit the entry of air through back wall assembly 14. Also provided in top wall assembly 20 are air louvers which allow an exit for the air entering louvers 24.

With reference to FIGS. 4, and 6, speaker enclosure assembly 12 comprises front wall 30, first side wall 32 and second side wall 34. Back wall 36, bottom wall 38 and top wall 40 joined together to form essentially rectangular speaker assembly 12. Cut through the front wall 30 are circular speaker openings 42, and mounted within speaker enclosure assembly 12 over circular speaker openings 42 are bass frequency speakers 44. Mounted to bottom wall 38 are castor wheel assemblies 46 which permit cabinet assembly to be easily moved from one location to another.

Formed in the first side wall 32 is cash box security chamber opening 48. Positioned within speaker enclosure 12 are first security chamber wall 50 and second security chamber wall 52 which form a security chamber 53 within speaker enclosure assemblylZ for tioned in the side thereof so that when second side wall assembly 18 is attached to speaker enclosure assembly 12, lockable door 58 is positioned over cash box security chamber opening 48. Thus, cash box 54 is securely enclosed within speaker enclosure 12 and only an authorized routeman with a key to unlock lockable door 58 can gain access to the cash box 54.

Mounted to top wall of speaker enclosure assembly 12 are mounting brackets 60. Mounted on mounting brackets 60 is a record storage and playing mechanism assembly 62. Record storage and playing mechanism 62 is a conventional vertical record playing mechanism for juke boxes generally of the type illustrated in U. S. Pat. No. 2,323,365 Andrews. Typically, record storage and playing mechanism 62 comprises a record storage rack 63 in which a plurality of records are stored and a vertical record playing mechanism 64 which travels back and forth along track members 66 to align the vertical record playing mechanism 64 with the selected record in a record storage rack 63. The selected record is then withdrawn from record storage rack 63 and played in a vertical position by vertical turntables 68 and vertical tone arm 70. Record storage and playing mechanism 62 is enclosed by lower front wall assembly 65 which is attached to first and second side walls 16 and 18.

Mounted to back wall assembly 14 are support brackets 72 to.which are attached high frequency speakers 74. Mounted tofirst and second side wall assemblies l6 and 18 immediately adjacent the front the storage of cash box 54. Formed in top wall 40 is cash receiving opening 56 which allows coins and currency deposited in the coin operated phonograph to be deposited into the cash box 54, Second side wall as sembly 18 has a lockable door 58 (see FIG. 8) posiedge of heat shield 22 are brackets 82. Brackets 82 pivotally mount upper front wall assembly 80 so that it may be pivoted downwardly as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 to permit easy access to electronic amplifier 82 for service, maintenance and repair. When upper front wall assembly 80 is in its closed position as illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 2, electronic amplifier 82 is entirely enclosed within an electronic component enclosure 83 formed by heat shield 22, back wall assembly 14, top wall assembly 20, first and second side wall assemblies 16 and 18 and upper front wall assembly 80, and separated from the records in the record storage and playing mechanism 62 by heat shield 22. Because of the high power requirements of electronic amplifier 82, a great deal of heat is generated by electronic amplifier 82. To prevent warpage and heat damage to the records, amplifier 82 is isolated by heat shield 22 so that heat generated by amplifier 82 can escape through air louvers 26 and top wall assembly 20. Air louvers 24 permit the convection of air through the enclosed chamber thus facilitating the removal of warm air through air louvers 26.

Bass frequency speakers 44 are enclosed in speaker assembly 12 to prevent the transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations to the record storage and playing mechanism 64. Typically, electromechanical speakers I generate a great deal of sonic and mechanical vibrations when driven at the high power requirements necessary in a coin operated automatic phonograph. The transmission of these sonic and mechanical vibrations to the tone arm of the record storage and play- .ing mechanism 62 produces undesirable distortion and variation in'the sound reproduction from the records. By enclosing speakers 44 in speaker enclosure assembly l2 distortion of the reproduction of sound by the record storage and playing mechanisms is substantially eliminated.

Further, by providing a solid speaker enclosure 12, an additional advantage is gained in that a solid substantial base for the mounting of record storage and playing mechanism 62 is provided. Further, the other portions of the assembly can also be mounted to speaker enclosure assembly 12. In addition, since speaker enclosure 12 is formed of solid materials to prevent the transmission of sonic and mechanical vibrations, speaker enclosure assembly 12 also may be utilized to form the security chamber for cash box 54.

While the high frequency speakers 74 do not generate as much sonic and mechanical vibrations as the bass frequency speakers 44, the high frequency speakers 74 have nonetheless been isolated from the record storage and playing mechanism 62 in the electronic component enclosure 84. Thus, the problem of distortion in the reproduction of sound by the coin operated phonograph has been substantially eliminated by virtue of the isolation of the speakers 44 in speaker enclosure assembly 12 and speakers 74 in electronic component enclosure 84.

Servicing and maintenance of the electrical components of the coin operated phonograph have been made substantially easier by virtqe of the mounting of the electrical components to upper front wall assembly 80 so that upper front wall assembly 80 can be pivoted downwardly to permit easy access to the electrical components. Thus, the serviceman does not have to dismantle or move the cabinet assembly 10 to gain access-to the electrical components.

It should also be understood the various changes, modifications and variations in structure and function of the present invention may be affected without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In a coin operated automatic phonograph having a record storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing records, an electronic amplifier, a

plurality of speakers for reproducing sound from the records, and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record, an improved cabinet assembly comprising:

a speaker enclosure means for enclosing one or more of the speakers, said speaker enclosure sealably isolating the speakers from the record storage and playing mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations produced by the speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism;

first and second side walls having their lower edges mounted on said speaker enclosure means;

a back wall having a lower edge mounted on said speaker enclosure means and joined 'to said first and second side walls;

an electrical component mounting enclosure means for enclosing the amplifier mounted to the upper edges of said first and second side wall panels and the upper edges of said back wall panel, said electrical component mounting enclosure thermally isolating the amplifier from the record storage and playing mechanism so that heat generated by the amplifier is not conducted to the record storage and playing mechanism,

whereby distortion of sound reproduction by the record storage and playing mechanism caused by sonic and mechanical vibration of the speakers and the possibility of heat damage and warpage of the records in the record storage and playing mechanism caused by heat produced by the amplifier is eliminated.

2. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said speaker enclosure provides a solid distortion free mounting support for the record storage and playing mechanism, and the first and second side walls and the back wall so that twisting and distortion of said first and second side walls and said back wall is eliminated when the cabinet assembly is placed on an uneven floor surface.

3. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said speaker enclosure means has formed therein a security chamber for providing a secure, theft proof enclosure for a coin and currency receiving cash box.

4. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical component mounting enclosure means comprises a pivotably mounted front wall portion upon which the amplifier is mounted, said front wall portion being adapted to pivot downwardly to approximately a horizontal position so that the amplifier can be easily serviced and repaired.

5. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic mounting enclosure means has formed therein air circulating means to permit air to circulate through said electronic mounting enclosure means to remove heat therefrom.

6. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical component mounting enclosure also encloses one or more of the speakers and sealably isolates said speakers from the record storage and playing mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations produced by said speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism.

7. In a coin operated automatic phonograph, said phonographcomprising a record storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing records, an amplifier and a plurality of speakers for reproducing sound from the records and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record, an improved cabinet assembly comprising:

a speaker enclosure means for enclosing the speakers said speaker enclosure sealably isolating said speakers from the record and storage mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations by the speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism,

whereby distortion of sound reproduction by the record storage and playing mechanism caused by sonic and mechanical vibration of the speakers is eliminated.

8. An improved cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said speaker enclosure means further comprises a security chamber formed therein for providing a secure theft proof enclosure for a coin and currency receiving cash box.

9. An improved cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said speaker enclosure means forms the base of the cabinet assembly and is fabricated from distortion resistant materials so that the cabinet is not twisted or distorted when placed on an uneven floor surface.

an electrical component mounting enclosure means for enclosing the amplifier and thermally isolating the amplifier from the record storage and playing mechanism so that heat generated by the amplifier is not conducted to the record storage and playing mechanism. 

1. In a coin operated automatic phonograph having a record storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing records, an electronic amplifier, a plurality of speakers for reproducing sound from the records, and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record, an improved cabinet assembly comprising: a speaker enclosure means for enclosing one or more of the speakers, said speaker enclosure sealably isOlating the speakers from the record storage and playing mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations produced by the speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism; first and second side walls having their lower edges mounted on said speaker enclosure means; a back wall having a lower edge mounted on said speaker enclosure means and joined to said first and second side walls; an electrical component mounting enclosure means for enclosing the amplifier mounted to the upper edges of said first and second side wall panels and the upper edges of said back wall panel, said electrical component mounting enclosure thermally isolating the amplifier from the record storage and playing mechanism so that heat generated by the amplifier is not conducted to the record storage and playing mechanism, whereby distortion of sound reproduction by the record storage and playing mechanism caused by sonic and mechanical vibration of the speakers and the possibility of heat damage and warpage of the records in the record storage and playing mechanism caused by heat produced by the amplifier is eliminated.
 2. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said speaker enclosure provides a solid distortion free mounting support for the record storage and playing mechanism, and the first and second side walls and the back wall so that twisting and distortion of said first and second side walls and said back wall is eliminated when the cabinet assembly is placed on an uneven floor surface.
 3. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said speaker enclosure means has formed therein a security chamber for providing a secure, theft proof enclosure for a coin and currency receiving cash box.
 4. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical component mounting enclosure means comprises a pivotably mounted front wall portion upon which the amplifier is mounted, said front wall portion being adapted to pivot downwardly to approximately a horizontal position so that the amplifier can be easily serviced and repaired.
 5. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic mounting enclosure means has formed therein air circulating means to permit air to circulate through said electronic mounting enclosure means to remove heat therefrom.
 6. A cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical component mounting enclosure also encloses one or more of the speakers and sealably isolates said speakers from the record storage and playing mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations produced by said speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism.
 7. In a coin operated automatic phonograph, said phonograph comprising a record storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing records, an amplifier and a plurality of speakers for reproducing sound from the records and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record, an improved cabinet assembly comprising: a speaker enclosure means for enclosing the speakers said speaker enclosure sealably isolating said speakers from the record and storage mechanism so that sonic and mechanical vibrations by the speakers are not transmitted to the record storage and playing mechanism, whereby distortion of sound reproduction by the record storage and playing mechanism caused by sonic and mechanical vibration of the speakers is eliminated.
 8. An improved cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said speaker enclosure means further comprises a security chamber formed therein for providing a secure theft proof enclosure for a coin and currency receiving cash box.
 9. An improved cabinet assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said speaker enclosure means forms the base of the cabinet assembly and is fabricated from distortion resistant materials so that the cabinet is not twisted or distorted when placed on an uneven floor surface.
 10. In a coin operated autoMatic phonograph, said phonograph comprising a storage and playing mechanism for storing and selectively playing records, an electronic amplifier and a plurality of speakers for reproducing sound from the records, and selection means for permitting coin operated selection of a desired record; an improved cabinet assembly comprising: an electrical component mounting enclosure means for enclosing the amplifier and thermally isolating the amplifier from the record storage and playing mechanism so that heat generated by the amplifier is not conducted to the record storage and playing mechanism. 